xiv, 251 pages : 25 cm

Joel's Prophecy has an unexpectedly familiar ring to it. The biblical book of Joel is relevant to our late-twentieth-century world because it confronts an age when people tolerated almost anything, did not want someone telling them how to live their lives, and had difficulty distinguishing right from wrong. It was at once a time of self-indulgence and a time of spiritual decay. The economic and political disparity of the day, combined with widespread social injustice and deviant religious practices, brought about God's judgment on his chosen people, the judahites. Pleading the litany of sins in Joel is like reading the newspaper, things have not changed much in 2,500 years. Leading Scripture scholar James L. Crenshaw's fresh translation of the biblical prophecy of Joel combines the latest research into Hebrew language and literature with down-to-earth insights into how Joel's words relate to the modern world. Drawing upon a thorough analysis of the book's grammar and philology, literary forms and context, religious and social situation, and historical setting, Crenshaw offers the most informed and up-to-date commentary available. For those who want to read and understand Joel, this book is indispensable

Includes bibliographical references (pages 55-77) and indexes

The superscription (1:1) -- Divine judgment against Judah and its response (1:2--2:17) -- A summons to lament and return to YHWH (1:2-20) -- YHWH's efficient army (2:1-11) -- A call to return to YHWH and to lament (2:12-17) -- The restoration of Judah and divine judgment on foreign nations -- Replacing what the locusts consumed (2:18-27) -- Signs and portents (3:1-5 [2:28-32]) -- YHWH 's reasons for judging the nations (4:1-3 [3:1-3]) -- Special instances of divine recompense (4:4-8 [3:4-8]) -- YHWH's judgment against the nations (4:9-16 [3:9-16]) -- Judah's security is assured (4:17-21 [3:17-21])

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